Guzzi Breva 1100 - best value used motorcycle on the market?

[bpreynolds]

So I've been a monster Guzzi fan now for going on 14 years.  I don't have one in the garage right now but I've had about 11 different ones in those many years.  Always come back to them.  As you can also tell from that high number, I've bought and sold a lot of them too.  And, just my motorcycling obsession keeps me constantly looking at the market and looking for bikes of any brand that might strike my fancy depending.  I used to say that a Guzzi 1100 California was nearly the cheapest, most wonderful all around motorcycles you could buy for maybe $3500 or less even.  As all of us - or any of us who have tried to sell a Guzzi - know, pretty much any Guzzi on the used market is a deal cause they just don't/won't sell unless they are at deal prices. 

Well, I have to say in all my years of watching Geese, the prices now listed for many low mile 1100 Brevas are near ridiculous.  I really only had 2 issues (looks and heat) with the bikes back in the day and they were both kinda subjective.  I thought/think they actually have a great, do it all, rugged kinda visual appeal to them.  Hate those fake telelevers.  In the cooler months I'd say the heat is a kind of blessing.  But anyhow, here is a bike on the used market that is priced seemingly between $2400-$3400 that is even more capable in some respects than those beloved 1100 Calis (I've owned 4 different ones).  I don't know whether to feel great or terrible about that.  It just seems almost laughable how cheap they are going for compared to what they offer.  Thoughts? 

[Spokane2303]

I had a 2007.

Loved the bike; but, I fretted over the dash issue and it was a hot bike to ride on a warm day.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

They resolved the heat problem in 2008 with the 1200 Sport. Same great all-around bike with slightly more power, some wind protection with the bikini fairing. Love mine. Might be harder to find one because they probably only brought around 100 or so into the states in 2008. I like the looks better too IMHO.   

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I've got a Sport1200 fairing on mine, The heat doesn't matter much to me because I mostly ride at higher elevation & never slab or sit in baking sun (also removing the chin fairing seemed to help?), the fake chrome tank scoops, I fixed with a rattle can.... I have the stock shock with the later heavier spring on it, and it's a late 2006 production date, so it has the factory centerstand. I have a spare new dash in a box, but I've never had an issue with mine... I may sell the NIB one when I need a couple Spare $100's

Love mine, but I don't think I could get much more than $3k for it.... It's deff not for sale tho.

If i can ever map the ping out of it, wouldnt part with it ever!

[Huzo]

I've got a Sport1200 fairing on mine, The heat doesn't matter much to me because I mostly ride at higher elevation & never slab or sit in baking sun (also removing the chin fairing seemed to help?), the fake chrome tank scoops, I fixed with a rattle can.... I have the stock shock with the later heavier spring on it, and it's a late 2006 production date, so it has the factory centerstand. I have a spare new dash in a box, but I've never had an issue with mine... I may sell the NIB one when I need a couple Spare $100's

Love mine, but I don't think I could get much more than $3k for it.... It's deff not for sale tho.

If i can ever map the ping out of it, wouldnt part with it ever!

Can't you just Beetle it...?

[frans belgium]

Can't you just Beetle it...?

Can this B11's  be Beetled ?  My Norge could and was, but didn't work out for the B11 of a friend of mine.

[rdbandkab]

We're on our second one now.   I'd have a third if I had room (and a spare couple thou).  Just something about the looks of the thing and the awesome(now) sounds emitted from the lump.
I'm hoping a new version B shows up sometime in the future.   If not....meh....
We just added few hundred miles on ours this weekend.  Yes....another Antique Power / Steam Show Exhibition this weekend.
Ours has an unplugged Mivv silencer and an updated map.
Just have to raise the seating platform or have my legs shortened. 
I could have used an ABS version of it this past Sunday though.    We ride 2up almost exclusively,  so it probably needs stiffer springs front and back.  That would have helped our "interesting" moment on Sunday.

[ohiorider]

We're on our second one now.   I'd have a third if I had room (and a spare couple thou).  Just something about the looks of the thing and the awesome(now) sounds emitted from the lump.
I'm hoping a new version B shows up sometime in the future.   If not....meh....
We just added few hundred miles on ours this weekend.  Yes....another Antique Power / Steam Show Exhibition this weekend.
Ours has an unplugged Mivv silencer and an updated map.
Just have to raise the seating platform or have my legs shortened. 
I could have used an ABS version of it this past Sunday though.    We ride 2up almost exclusively,  so it probably needs stiffer springs front and back.  That would have helped our "interesting" moment on Sunday.

Just a reminder ...... you are welcome to try my Corbin saddle on your bike for a few days.  That'd give your wife some time to see if she liked the passenger perch, and you'd see if it works for you.  I don't want to sell mine (I always have these dreams at age 75 that I'll want to use it for another extended trip ...... and who knows ..... that may just happen! 

Plan a ride up my way from Weirton .... it isn't far ..... and we'll pop the Corbin on your bike for a few days.

Regards,

Bob

[rdbandkab]

Thanks Bob!   Did you say the Corbin had a higher driver area? 

We had a GIVI A760 fairing on our first Breva.  It had a more rounded fairing and worked well.

[ohiorider]

Thanks Bob!   Did you say the Corbin had a higher driver area? 

We had a GIVI A760 fairing on our first Breva.  It had a more rounded fairing and worked well.

Richy, the Corbin is (I think) just slightly taller.  It is wider, which makes the seat to ground distance feel somewhat tall.  I don't think the Corbin would put you up too high so that your fairing wouldn't work for you.  Again, give it a try and see if a Corbin works for you.  I personally think a Corbin could make a better tourer out of the Breva/Norge/12S CARC bikes.  If I was riding my 2v 1200S on a lot of long distance rides, this would be a vital accessory.

Bob

[rdbandkab]

Yea...  A little more height would help out the old knees I think. We really can't complain too much about the stock seat really.  It feels like it has a wide enough platform,  I just feel like I'm sitting in the bike rather than on it.
I'm probably going to do different pegs for the pillion area so Karen will have less bend in her knees and she and I won't be playing footsie all the time too.  I thought about a set of Buell pegs for me as well...as long as I wouldn't be dragging the pegs in the twisties.
We're running the stock (I believe) windscreen on this B.  It has more of an upright stance,  but seems to direct the wind nicely over our helmets.  I'll be giving the inside of this screen a coat of black paint to give it more of a fairing look than clear windscreen.  We also have the larger touring screen, but it's a bit too large to look "sporty".
So many mods, so little time and money!!!

richy

[Ion66]

Here in Canada, Brevas are a also a great deal, but not nearly as cheap as in the US. Even with the exchange you could make money bringing them in at $2400-3400! $4995-5900 will get you a good one. $5500-6500 for a good 1200 Sport. I paid 6k for my 1200, with 3800km on it, and feel like that was a good price. All stock, including virtually new, but dried up Metzelers, and a big mouse nest in the air filter! They were 16K (1200) new here in 07-08, so 6k seemed like a great deal, considering what you'd pay for a comparable BMW R1200R. What gets me here, is that the 750's are going for equal or more money than the CARC bikes. A Griso 1100 or Breva 11/12 are far more high end machines, but the demand is for the retro 750.

[derek533]

Of the bikes I've owned over my short riding career, the Guzzi is by far, the all arounder do everything bike that is also extremely comfortable.  I've owned a Suzuki Marauder, Yamaha FZ6 (close 2nd to the Breva), Kawasaki Vulcan 900, and now the 06 Breva 1100. 

I've had it for 3 years now and every time I think about trading it for something else, I have to keep asking myself what is out there that would do what it does for the price I paid?  Answer:  Nothing comes to mind. 

[knowmaddd]

The first ride I had on a Breva, while waiting for my V7 to be serviced, I found it ideal.  Good performance, great road manners (in my personal opinion) and a very comfortable bike.  I had mine customized and it really tailored the fit to my personal preferences. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh383IQHpEX/?taken-by=knowmadd

https://youtu.be/4QHpOA6Xtj4?t=2m55s

Perhaps the B11 will also have a second life as a platform for customization?

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Can't you just Beetle it...?

I'm trying my good man! I suck with computers, I cant get guzzi diag to work. Pitch in over on the tutorial thread if you want to laugh at a true tech neophyte!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Thanks Bob!   Did you say the Corbin had a higher driver area? 

We had a GIVI A760 fairing on our first Breva.  It had a more rounded fairing and worked well.

the Corbin seat is DEFINITELY lower, like over an inch lower! If you feel cramped on the stocker, it will take some getting used to and/or lower pegs... Your pillion will love it tho

[Texas Turnip]

If I was a millionaire I'd buy every B1100 so no one would go thru the misery I did with mine. Do you like sitting by the road while a friend comes to get you? Wait until your low beam goes out at night on a twisty road. Deathly!  Good thing I had another Guzzi to ride while the B1100 was in the shop. Lots of Guzzis have over 100K. i DID IT WITH AN aMBO, TWO 84 cAL 11'S, A cAL 3 AND TWO 98 evS. Doubt if you'll ever see a B1100 with100K.

Tex

[bad Chad]

I think I'll hit a 100k on mine should I live long enough.   Nothing bad has happened to my B1100 in nine years of riding it over 43k.  Never has this bike failed me.

[rdbandkab]

I only got 53,000 miles on my first one.    We sold it to get the Stelvio.  We should have kept the Breva.  The fellow I sold the Breva to is still putting miles on it.  I'll have to see if I can find out where he's at mileage wise.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Only reason I'd want one would be to the use the drivetrain for a Triking Type 4.
http://www.type4.trikingsportscars.co.uk/

[flower_king001]

I had a ping problem while under load and went from a BPR6ES NGK in the outer plug to a BPR7ES NGK which is colder. Also a good friend of mine had the same problem and he switched to a BPR6EIX NGK IRIDIUM.

If i can ever map the ping out of it, wouldn't part with it ever!

[flower_king001]

I bought my Breva 1100 last fall and love it! Have had several Guzzi's throughout the years and still own a E V and IV Lemans but the Breva gets the most use. However without some modifications to suit my needs thru trial and error. For comfort (I'm 6' 1") I switched the stock saddle to a Corbin and stock pegs to GL1100 which made a huge difference! I added a Givi trunk and have kept the stock side bags as at this time do their job. OEM tank bag (medium). Went thru a few windshields but in the end prefer the OEM adjusted to get fresh/clean air to my face with no buffering. I also run a OEM "sport shield" on my EV with the same results. In the colder months I have a pair of Stelvio  hand guards and a larger Parabellum shield. Shield works fine but still adjust to get clean air to my face but is way too hot the warmer months! I removed the cat and installed a Guzzi Tech Y pipe. Replaced stock wimpy horn to a Stebel which I mounted to the oil cooler support with a aluminum piece of stock placed behind the support. I had to use 1/4" longer bolts but is out of the way (not hitting front fender)  and very secure. Bike came with a set of Heli riser bars on it but changed over to the stock as I much prefer the feel and handling and riding position with them. Installed a Carc guard that I purchased from the UK with the extra little rubber bumper. MPH plug and play starter fix and last but no least the addition of auxiliary lights. I bot a pair of DENALI DM 2.0 LED from Twisted Throttle and a pair of adjustable small crash bar mounts (Hepco & Becker) made by Piaa. Right now I'm running one with a flood lens and the other spot. Night and day and can actually run without the headlight if need be!

Yea...  A little more height would help out the old knees I think. We really can't complain too much about the stock seat really.  It feels like it has a wide enough platform,  I just feel like I'm sitting in the bike rather than on it.
I'm probably going to do different pegs for the pillion area so Karen will have less bend in her knees and she and I won't be playing footsie all the time too.  I thought about a set of Buell pegs for me as well...as long as I wouldn't be dragging the pegs in the twisties.
We're running the stock (I believe) windscreen on this B.  It has more of an upright stance,  but seems to direct the wind nicely over our helmets.  I'll be giving the inside of this screen a coat of black paint to give it more of a fairing look than clear windscreen.  We also have the larger touring screen, but it's a bit too large to look "sporty".
So many mods, so little time and money!!!

richy

[flower_king001]

I have thought about doing something similar to my stock shield but was going to cover the bottom portion of it with carbon fiber wrap. I already covered the chrome eyebrows with carbon wrap and think it looks much better.

Yea...  A little more height would help out the old knees I think. We really can't complain too much about the stock seat really.  It feels like it has a wide enough platform,  I just feel like I'm sitting in the bike rather than on it.
I'm probably going to do different pegs for the pillion area so Karen will have less bend in her knees and she and I won't be playing footsie all the time too.  I thought about a set of Buell pegs for me as well...as long as I wouldn't be dragging the pegs in the twisties.
We're running the stock (I believe) windscreen on this B.  It has more of an upright stance,  but seems to direct the wind nicely over our helmets.  I'll be giving the inside of this screen a coat of black paint to give it more of a fairing look than clear windscreen.  We also have the larger touring screen, but it's a bit too large to look "sporty".
So many mods, so little time and money!!!

richy

[Nic in Western NYS]

I think I'll hit a 100k on mine should I live long enough.   Nothing bad has happened to my B1100 in nine years of riding it over 43k.  Never has this bike failed me.

Mine was rock solid too.  If I didn't have an ABS mental hang-up, I would have kept the B11 and stocked up on dashboards.  Sounded nice too.

[Huzo]

Can this B11's  be Beetled ?  My Norge could and was, but didn't work out for the B11 of a friend of mine.

Maybe try asking....
Ummm...
Beetle..!

[TN Mark]

A B11 Breva is only a bargain if someone wants it. I saw a black Jackal last night with the Police windshield and the nice Swiss leather bags. The owner was asking what it is  worth. He was getting suggestions of only about $2500. For that he may be better off parting it out if there's a market for the separate parts.

But yea, since Polaris pulled the plug on Victory, I know first hand what it's like to see resale and trade in tank.

[Mackers]

Can this B11's  be Beetled ?

My Breva 1100 has Beetle's Sport 1200 map on it.  Roper put it on when I dropped it in for a mid-life spruce up.

[exiledrebel]

My B11 also has Beetle's 1200 map. It also has a GPR muffler and a y-pipe in place of the cat. The map was a definite improvement over the latest 1100 factory map.

The combination of the map, plus a brass temp sensor replacement, finally eradicated the pinging problem.

[Route140]

This one sure looks like a good value;

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2006-moto-guzzi-breva-1100/6649915728.html

[exiledrebel]

This one sure looks like a good value;

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2006-moto-guzzi-breva-1100/6649915728.html

No kidding. That looks like it would be worth the drive to get it.